Limit Freedom of Expression

We are often confronted with the dilemma of setting limits to the media’s right to freedom of expression. The media has its own values and right to freedom of expression is surely sacrosanct. But the exercise of those rights have to be tempered with responsibility to avoid anarchy or violence. It has to be ensured that the power in
possession of the modern day media is handled in a most responsible manner and not misused or abused by utterances, writings or caricatures that may incite intolerance and destabilize societies.

But the exercise of those rights have to be tempered with responsibility to avoid anarchy or violence.

Translation: “Don’t say anything bad about us or we’ll kill you.” A Danish newspaper published some cartoons, one of which depicted Moe with a bomb in his bonnet, with the clear implication that Moe was a terrorist. Moe never hurled a bomb because he died before the invention of gunpowder. He would not have detonated himself because he was the indispensible leader. But he preached & practiced terrorism. The cartoon was accurate in concept if not in litteral detail.

Who expressed intolerance? Who rioted? Who burned buildings and killed innocent people? It was not the cartoonists nor the publisher neither was it the subscribers who viewed the cartoons. It was the Muslim mobs, incited by their Imams at Jumah prayer meetings.

ensured that the power in possession of the modern day media… is not misused or abused by utterances, writings or caricatures that may incite intolerance and destabilize societies

Those cartoons were not misuse nor abuse, neither are these blog posts. The Qur’an, which inculcates hatred & incites violence is the misuse & abuse of the written word.